To The Girl Panicking About Finding A Roommate, It's Going To Be OK

It’s a new year and high school seniors are finally hearing back about their acceptance to the colleges of their dreams. There is a lot to be worrying about when it comes to picking your school and committing to enrollment there, such as meal plans, living arrangements, the decision to join Greek life when it’s time, etc.

However, from my personal experience, the absolutely most stressful time about the college process was finding a roommate.

I, like many, wanted my roommate to be my absolute best friend, my long lost sister, and my other half. I had all these expectations that I wanted her to fulfill and decided that I was going to be very picky.

Because I was so eager to know who my roommate was going to be, I decided to start looking for one about three weeks after I was accepted to UNH in mid-March. This was a very early time to start looking for a roommate because many people had not made their decisions about where they were going to attend school yet.

Due to that, I didn’t know anyone else that was going to UNH, so I started looking on the incoming freshman Facebook group. There, many people would post status’ with a few sentences about what they were like and what they were looking for.

I scrolled through, reading almost everyone’s posts, and I found a girl who seemed very similar to me: her hobbies were listening to music, going to concerts, partying, etc. She seemed outgoing and friendly, so I decided to send her a message.

We ended up hitting it off, having almost all of the same interests and getting along really well. We talked through social media and texting throughout the whole time from March to move in day in late August, until we were finally able to meet.

We had also found out that we were going to be placed in a forced triple dorm, meaning that we would be forced to live with a third person. My original roommate and I were scared because neither of us knew the new roommate, nor did we speak to her before move-in.

We both weren’t too excited to be in a triple, but it ended up working out so much better than we could have imagined.

As school started and the days went on, me and my original roommate remained friends, but we didn’t really have the bond that I thought we had over the phone. We still got along fine and could live with each other, but we were nothing more than roommates.

Ironically, the randomly assigned third roommate with us ended up turning into my best friend at school. And my original roommate moved out to be in a double with friends she made in another dorm. So me and my new best friend now have a double.

It’s crazy how things work out, but in the end, everything always does. My original roommate and I still keep in touch as acquaintances.

So, my advice to the senior in high school who is anxious to find her roommate? Do not stress! You never know what could happen with rooming situations, so don’t assume too much of someone.

Your roommate might not be your best friend, and if that’s the case then as long as you can live with them you have nothing to worry about.

An Open Letter To The Friend Who Became My Sister

According to "Grey’s Anatomy’s" Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang, they're your person. The one who, “if I murdered someone, I’d call you to help me drag the corpse across the living room floor.” You’re so much more to me than any of those titles can express.

As I’ve matured throughout the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that good friends with good hearts serve an incredibly important purpose in our lives, going above and beyond what we give them credit and appreciation for.

The family we choose. You’re one of those.

The day we met, I knew that you were going to play an important role in my life. What I had no idea of was that you would join the cast of my life with a starring role.

First, I need to say thank you. Thank you for always coming to my locker to check in before class during high school. Thank you for letting me control the music on road trips. Thank you for sharing your family with me, and addressing my family as if you were born into it.

Thank you for patiently listening to the physical embodiment of a broken record when I complain about the same boy I’ve loved since senior year. Thank you for tagging along on every doctor’s appointment, grocery run, and trip to the post office, just because you know that I hate doing things alone.

Thank you for not thinking twice before dialing when I text you “please call me.” Thank you for never saying no to a coffee date. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for being my better half.

We don't share the same genetic makeup, but after all the sleepovers, heart-to-heart conversations, shopping until our bank accounts cry, and swapping clothes so often that we don’t know what belongs to whom, how could I not consider you family? We have shared some my fondest memories together, and I wouldn’t want them to feature anyone but you.

You’ve been with me on my best days, and loved me on my worst. You know how to make me laugh when all I want to do is crawl into a hole and die.

Picturing sitting in my car with you in the passenger seat makes me long for summer, where we spend three months together doing all of our favorite things. You’ve seen me naked, done my makeup, and warned me before making a poor decision. Being away from you for extended periods of time makes me feel incomplete.

You are a piece of me that I am not quite whole without. You taught me that blood doesn’t make a family; love does.

You know me better than I know myself, which is both amazing and terrifying. You make me realize I’m enough for this world, and that means more to me than I know how to express in the limited words that make up the English language.

You remind me that I am more than my mistakes, and you keep me grounded when I spiral out of control. You’ve helped me carry my burdens along with your own, even when the universe comes down on you full force, way harder than you deserve.

You’re the one I come to for the truth if I think my new dress makes me look fat, and I know you’ll be honest. I trust you with my whole heart. You know the gory details about every boy I’ve ever crushed on, every professor who was an absolute jerk, and every fight I’ve had with my mom.

I wouldn’t make it in this life without someone who already understands and listens to every thought going through my head and each thing I seriously over think, even when you know, though you don’t say, it won’t matter in a week.

With all these affectionate things being said, don’t forget our fights. The few we’ve had were very real. We still don’t see eye to eye on some events of the past, but I never told my mom about it because there was no need to make her choose a side between me and her “second daughter.”

We have learned to move forward, because the love we have for each other overwhelmingly outweighs any disagreement we’ve had, and always will.

Through all the tears and laughs, I don’t think that anything the world has to offer could seriously come between us. You go to a different school than me now, and college has rudely gotten in the way of our routine of spending every waking moment together.

Since we met, we’ve grown separately without growing apart. Neither of us are the same person we used to be all those years ago. Even so, we’ve pushed each other to our limits and you’ve given me the courage to keep going and do things that make me happy.

We lean on each other when it’s been a bad day and all we want to do is to snuggle and indulge in whichever show the other is currently watching unceasingly and unabashedly for comfort (it’s the little things). Having you as my co-pilot on this crazy ride called life has been frustrating, exciting, slightly concerning, absolutely insane, and something I don’t know how I would live without, and I don’t intend to find out.

I’ll conclude this letter with a quote from every basic, white girl’s favorite musical, “I don’t know if I’ve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

To The Friends Who Became My Family

I've always felt like an outsider no matter where I've gone. Almost like I would never find my place in this world. The moment that I thought I'd found it, my world turned upside down, at the time I thought I'd never bounce back. I was so very wrong.

A few months later after going down that road, I was introduced to this amazing group of people who had come from so many different places and recently formed together. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and when it comes to this moment in my life I know that it's true. These people have brought so much opportunity and positivity into my life. They've given me the drive to be this amazing person. I never knew where I belonged, I felt like a misfit toy, or the puzzle in the 100-piece box that doesn't fit, no matter which way you move it.

They made me feel like I could belong anywhere, with anyone.

They've given this new view of life that I've been lacking. A lot has to do with my own level of confidence, and they've truly helped build that.

After meeting them the world began to make sense again. I was able to find my way for the first time in years. I wouldn't be the person I am today without having them in my life. They've made me realize that in college I'm the guys' girl, and I love having all my guy friends. I would be completely lost without them. I was able to see all the good in the world that I was unable to see before. I know always see the most positive outlook on everything.

Now that I see the world in a new light, it seems that the world has seen me for who I truly am.

After coming together with these people I've met so many amazing people who I never thought I would meet in my life or be friends with. I've never been luckier in my life than the moment that they all walked into it. I felt like they saved me from a dark hole, and I have no idea how to thank them, other than writing an article to show my gratitude.

This one is for y'all, so thank you.

Thank you for being there when I need it, for having my back no matter what, and for pushing me. I didn't think that I could do or be half the person I am, but because of you, I am. I am myself for the first time in life, and I have no shame about who that is.

I miss you guys and wouldn't be able to survive college without you. I know that when we all venture away from each other and no longer live together we will make sure that once a year we come together. We try for once a month and have done such a good job at that, but when life gets busy I know that once a year will be enough because it will seem like no time has ever been spent apart.

To those reading this, if you find a group that makes you feel this way or even just a few people, don't ever let them go. Make the time to see each other and don't lose touch.

Life gets hard, but it without your people makes it so much harder.

I love my team, I love my squad. The moment that we first all "prayed" together I felt slightly ridiculous but then I realized that we all come from different places, and different backgrounds, but at that moment, we came together. Most of us didn't know each other but we felt this energy and connection that would connect us for life.

So here is what I want to say to you "I've always felt like an outsider, and I've had friends, a lot. I've even had friends that I love and couldn't live without, but you guys have become my family, you have become these people that I couldn't imagine living without. In such a short time you've become amazing human beings who I've seen grow and prosper throughout these friendships that each and every one of us has made. I wouldn't change the world for the moment we have, and the memories we all make.

You guys are my family, and I can't thank you enough for saving me because you truly have.